Inside Be Electric Studios’ rise from a Brooklyn photo studio loft to 13 stages across NYC and a tri-state virtual production powerhouse
While much of the film and TV industry is navigating a historic production downturn, one Brooklyn-based studio is writing a very different script. Meet Be Electric Studios, a rare success story that’s expanding rapidly, doubling down on innovation, and helping shape the future of production.
Founded by photographer Andrew Stern, Be Electric began as a modest creative refuge in Bushwick: a single photo studio designed for artists, friends, and the occasional offbeat shoot. Today, it’s a full-service production ecosystem, home to 13 soundstages, an extensive gear rental division, and two cutting-edge LED volumes with full service virtual production services.
But what really sets Be Electric apart is its relentless adaptability—and a deep understanding of what working producers actually need.
“We’re not just reacting to the industry, we’re building the version of it we want to see,” says Stern. “Because we’re producers and creatives ourselves, we approach every decision with a hands-on, client-first mindset. When we support a client, we’re approaching it like it’s our own project. We put everything we’ve got into it and work around the clock to help them reach the highest levels of creative and technical excellence. Our growth comes from helping others make great work—and then investing that momentum right back into the community.”
A Virtual Production Leader—From Brooklyn to the Tri-State Area
Be Electric’s biggest growth area is virtual production. The company now operates two full-service LED stages, one in Brooklyn and another in Long Island City. A third stage is set to open this year in New Jersey, making Be Electric the only independent virtual production provider with three locations in the Northeast.
“Virtual production can feel overwhelming to newcomers, but once we bring them onto our stage and show them how the technology fits into their creative workflow, it clicks,” says Justin Lee, Be Electric’s Virtual Production Supervisor. “Our job is to demystify the process and make the tools work for the storytellers, not the other way around.”
The team has a deep bench of ICVFX expertise and a proven workflow for car process, commercials, and narrative film & TV. They are also building custom volumes for larger budget feature films, as well as helping studios and brands understand how to deploy VP technology effectively and affordably.
This June, Stern will lead a featured panel on virtual production at AICP Week, joining top directors, producers, and technologists to unpack how VP is revolutionizing the commercial space—and how to sell the vision to clients who are wary of cost or complexity.
Be Electric Studios’ Long Island City LED Wall measuring 56′ X 16.5′
From Cooking Shows to Creators: A Home for All Formats
Rather than bet everything on big-budget scripted shows, Be Electric has diversified intentionally, becoming a go-to studio for commercials, unscripted series, sketch comedy, music content, and digital-first brands. That includes culinary staples like Beat Bobby Flay and Chopped, which regularly shoot on Be Electric’s stages.
“We’ve leaned into the kind of content that’s still getting greenlit,” says Stern. “food, music, comedy, YouTubers—it’s all part of the new production economy.”
Studio, Gear, Crew—All Under One Roof
To keep things simple for clients, Be Electric runs a robust in-house equipment rental division, offering lights, grip, and electric that’s ready to roll as soon as you are. The ethos is simple: show up, plug in, and shoot.
“We’re not trying to be everything to everyone,” Stern adds. “We’re trying to be essential to the people who are still making things—by doing it smarter, faster, and greener.”
Green at the Core
Sustainability has always been a core value at Be Electric. The studio is powered by 100% renewable energy, and for every shoot or rental, Be Electric plants five trees through a reforestation nonprofit, turning each production into an opportunity to give back to the planet. “We know the industry needs to evolve,” says Stern. “We want to prove you can scale up without compromising your values.”
Leading the Industry Forward
Be Electric’s success is also powered by its leadership in industry advocacy. As Co-President of the Production Initiatives Association (PIA), Stern helped lead the charge in 2023 and again in 2025 to secure vital legislative wins for the New York production community—ensuring that incentives and infrastructure remain strong in the face of national challenges. He is also a co-founder of the Coalition for American Production (CAP), a national initiative uniting the vendors that form the backbone of the industry to advocate for strong federal policies and tax incentives that keep film and television jobs in the U.S.
Defying the Downturn, Defining the Future
While many studios are scaling back, Be Electric is proving that resilience, creativity, and innovation still matter. With two VP stages, 11 practical stages, a diversified client base, and a leadership role in shaping what comes next, they’re not just surviving—they’re thriving.
And in the process, they’re redefining what a modern production studio looks like.
Be Electric’s Brooklyn based curved 180 degree LED wall: 50′ X 13′
